You look away for a brief moment as you walk your dog down a trash-ridden street.The next thing you know, your beloved pup has scarfed down something he shouldn’t have.

What to do? Experts weigh in on five scenarios, all too common in New York:

My Lab ate part of a dead squirrel in the park.

“This is a time for close observation,” says Dr. Ann Hohenhaus from the Animal Medical Center in Manhattan. “Some Labs have a cast-iron stomach and will show no signs of illness.” Waiting and observing is a good idea, concurs Dr. Orlando Díaz from the Williamsburg Animal Clinic, who says if the dog is not foaming at the mouth or vomiting but looks alert and is still wagging his tail, chances are he’s fine. “If vomiting more than once occurs, then it is best to take the dog to an emergency room in case the gastrointestinal tract is blocked.”

My golden retriever scarfed down a chicken bone left on the sidewalk.

“Some dogs’ intestinal tracts can digest the bones with some associated gastroenteritis (diarrhea and blood) but only if the bones are chewed into tiny pieces and not scarfed down whole,” explains Dr. Sally Haddock of St. Marks Veterinary Hospital, citing a personal story in which her own retriever got a severe infection and went blind after raiding the trash and eating something that punctured her intestine. “You never really know with chicken bones,” she says. “If it’s a little bit of bone that they grab off the street, the intestine should take care of it… [if] it’s a big shard… you should take them in for an X-ray just to be safe.”

My boxer-Doberman mix knocked over a can of beer and drank some of it.

“Due to the large body mass of a boxer-Doberman mix, it may not be that harmful,” says Díaz. But, he cautions, if your dog is experiencing vomiting diarhea, disorientation or seizures, go to the emergency room right away. Hohenhaus notes that a dog can become comatose from acute alcohol poisoning and require hemodialysis to remove the alcohol from the bloodstream.

My French bulldog ate some milk chocolate that was left on my coffee table.

“The darker the chocolate, the greater the risk of severe poisoning,” says Hohenhaus.

Yes, “if a 20-pound dog eats three ounces of milk chocolate, you should be fine,” says Haddock. But, “if it’s unswetened, a visit to the vet is advised.” A vet can induce vomiting or give the dog activated charcoal to bind the chocolate to the intestines. “As long as you haven’t waited too long for treatment,” she says, “there is a good chance of survival.”

If your dog has consumed another potentially toxic substance, like a household cleaner, Haddock recommends calling the 24-hour ASPCA Poison Control Hotline (888-426-4435, $65 consultation fee). They can advise on whether or not you need to rush to the vet, and, if so, provide specific information about the toxin consumed.

My mutt has been vomiting the entire day. Should I give him any food?

“If a dog is vomiting, we don’t give food or water, but rest the stomach for at least 12 hours,” says Hohenhaus.

Once an animal has gone 12 hours without, “a bland diet is the best thing.” says Haddock. “We commonly use I/D by Hill’s.” She also recommends white rice and boiled skinless chicken. “The key is to feed small amounts of food (starting at one spoonful) multiple times (about 3 to 4 hours apart) and gradually build up to larger quantities with longer intervals,” she says. After the stomach has rested, you can also give your dog ice chips and water.

“Dehydration is a huge concern” and a severely dehydrated dog may require IV fluids, Haddock notes. “A vet needs to judge your pet’s dehydration and risks to make a decision how to proceed.”